One of the major factors contributing to Brisbane Roar’s resurrection from a troubled off-season has been the rise of young striker Brandon Borello.
Flourishing under new manager John Aloisi, a former Socceroo forward who needs no introduction, Borello has scored four goals in seven appearances for the Roar this season, including two braces.
But in two seasons for the Roar prior to the beginning of the 2015-16 A-League season, the former Young Socceroo had scored just four goals from 26 appearances – a strike rate that would see most strikers out the door at their clubs.
Despite his previous lack of goals, the Adelaide-born forward pushed on into the 2015-16 season and is currently equal second in the A-League Golden Boot race, having scored a third of Roar’s goals.
His impressive efficiency is the key to Borrello’s recent success.
The 20-year-old has scored his four goals from just 10 shots, boasting a clinical shooting accuracy higher than Melbourne Victory pair Besart Berisha and Gui Finkler, Melbourne City’s Bruno Fornaroli, Newcastle’s Milos Trifunovic, and Roar teammate Jamie Maclaren, just to name a few.
Borello’s defensive work rate has also been key to his recent run of form. He has made six interceptions this season, with Western Sydney Wanderer Joshua Sotirio the only forward in the A-League with more (nine).
Despite his recent form, Borello is yet to be re-signed by the Roar, and with his full-time youth contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Roar are vulnerable to losing their prodigy to local and international clubs searching for a forward with a proven scoring record and plenty of potential.
“We’re trying to get him to sign a bit more long-term – we’ve been talking to his agent (John Grimaud) for a number of months now,” Aloisi said.
“But I’m not concerned because Brandon knows this is the best place for him to develop as a footballer.
“I’ve been speaking to Brandon quite regularly about it and he’s happy to be involved in this club.”
Borello was recently snubbed a spot in the 22-man Olyroos squad set to play Qatar U-23 and Iran U-23, which featured his Roar teammates Corey Brown and Jamie Maclaren.
Lionheart
Guest
Brisbane's the best place for Borello right now. I'd echo the thoughts of others above, don't get greedy mate, you're not that good. Plenty of young players to fit in and develop if you go, Daggers for a start.
jbinnie
Guest
Brisvegas - I think that is a fair comment and my one fear is that when younger players read some of the rubbish printed about them they begin to believe the same.That in turn can turn into discontent and as we have seen in countless instances,can result in that same young player venturing overseas before his time with the usual results. Young players in this Roar team have to observe the talents of North, Broich,Henrique,Corona and Mackay and realise they have a fair way to go to get to that level.Of course the men I mention are veterans but if a youngster looks,learns and works on what he sees, he will reach that level much quicker.If he believes the other source then his improvement will hit a brick wall. Cheers jb
Waz
Guest
Actually that is very true (add Solorzano to that list when fit). With ten contracts up for renewal Roar must select carefully those it wants to retain - the one thing the HAL doesn't do is reward a club for developing young talent, with a typical 2 year contract and a cap in place you're very often developing them for their next club.
Brisvegas
Guest
I'll add my voice to those above. He could be good but has a long way to go. Along with Petratos he is often frustrating to watch. Actually, Brisbane have a few players that fit that particular description - Hingert, Brown, MacLaren, Clut.
Waz
Guest
Whilst Roar will be keen to resign him I would hope they don't get desperate, as jb explains above the kid is still "half baked" and on a steep learning curve. And he has yet to resign with Brisbane despite several months of negotiation suggesting his agent is waiting to use the transfer window in January as a negotiating lever - Roar must be prepared to let him go and not over pay which is a common mistake in a salary capped league. His work rate is astonishing alas he is an attacker and it's there his efforts need to be focussed, his conversion rate may be "impressive" but that's because he doesn't create for himself or get involved in enough goal scoring chances. He's also failed to create an "assist" this season (Maclaren 20 shots, 3 goals, 2 assists in comparison). So the kid himself, the supporters and the club need to calm down - he's got potential but with players now returning to full fitness even Borrellos starting position is questionable. One final point on the supposed Olyroos "snubbing" ... at last weeks fan forum Aloisi explained that discussions had taken place between the FFA and Roar over how many players to take and it was agreed that they would only select one of Maclaren and Borrello given both are currently starting. So far from being a "snub" it was a good piece of sensible cooperation between club and country (Aloisi did say that if firm continues Roar were told to expect to lose Maclaren, Borrello, Donachie and Brown for the January qualifiers).
jbinnie
Guest
Jack= Brandon is a football "apprentice" who,it is hoped, does not believe all the guff that is being written about him. He is actually on a "learning curve" as regards becoming an all round professional player and if the truth be told it is going to take a lot of hard work both by him and his coaches for him to reach his obvious potential. I like the boy's attitude,he has a huge "heart", goes at every "move" on the field with unbridled enthusiasm, and gives of himself unsparingly when helping out team-mates,but these traits, and his success in netting a ball,are not enough to get him into the top rungs of our sport.He needs to work on his ball skills for at the moment,if you care to use the statistics that really matter,you will note that he only controls and advances past an opponent in about a 50/50 ratio and then immediately spends lots of energy chasing the man who has dispossessed him. He is playing in a team surrounded by ex-pros who know how to control a ball and move it to a mate accurately and quickly,traits the modern game almost demands,and at the moment he is being "found out "in that department too often for his own good.There was an example of this flaw in the recent game where his enthusiasm saw him and McLaren break through the back line when a simple first time pass would have set up McLaren for a "tap-in goal,but again his touch and execution were just too long and his pass was intercepted.This is in fact the difference in "being there" as a player as against "almost there" for a 20 year old "apprentice". I like the kid and feel, given time and some hard work,he could become a very good footballer. Cheers jb